PDP National Chair: Atiku and Saraki’s Opposition to David Mark

While political parties scramble to prepare for the 2023 presidential elections, the Peoples Democratic Party is still grappling with the issue of electing a National Chairman.
According to Naija News, in August 2021, the High Court of Rivers State barred Prince Uche Secondus from claiming to be the National Chairman or a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Following a suit filed by Ibeawuchi Ernest Alex, Dennis Nna Amadi, Emmanuel Stephen, and Umezirike Onucha against Uche Secondus (1st defendant) and the PDP in the Degema Judicial Division Vacation Court in Port Harcourt, Hon. Justice O. Gbasam granted the injunction (2nd defendant).

After hearing the applicants’ arguments, the judge granted an interim injunction prohibiting Secondus from claiming to be the PDP’s National Chairman.

Justice Nusirat of the Kebbi State High Court later reinstated Secondus to his position. While ruling in suit no: KB/AC/M. 170/2021, Justice Umar, who is on vacation at the Kebbi High Court, issued the order in Birnin Kebbi.

The presiding judge stated that after reviewing the respondents’ affidavit, she is satisfied that an interim order on the purported suspension of Secondus pending judgment is granted.

She gave Secondus permission to “continue exercising all constitutional powers of the office of Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (second defendant) as enshrined in both the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria as amended and the Peoples Democratic Party’s constitution.”

The reinstatement of Secondus was short-lived, as another court upheld his suspension.

PDP has continued to debate which candidate and from which zone is best suited for the coveted position, which is in desperate need of a new leader.

Despite widespread support for former Senate President David Mark’s election as the Peoples Democratic Party’s National Chairman, Naija News understands that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President Bukola Saraki are opposed to his election.

In a recent interview with The Punch, a supposedly trustworthy member of the party revealed this.

With the exception of the two-party chieftains, the PDP-Governors Forum and the Board of Trustees are said to have endorsed Mark for the position.

Atiku and Saraki, according to Naija News, both prefer a candidate from the North West.

“Politics is about personal or collective interests,” the party source, who asked to remain anonymous, told reporters on Sunday in Abuja.

“It is common knowledge that both Atiku and Saraki want to be President. The election of David Mark as National Chairman is likely to change their calculations.

“Mark is seen as too strong-willed and uncompromising by Atiku. Saraki may not benefit from a Mark from the same north-central zone because it will leave the remaining two zones, the North East and the North West, as the only candidates for the Presidential ticket.

“They had both worked hard to get the governor’s zoning committee, led by Ifeanyi Ugwuayi, to open the chairmanship position in their recommendations, but it didn’t quite work out.”

Read also: PDP Starts Sale Of Form For Chairmanship, Other Positions On Monday

“What Mark has going for him is that, aside from his personal qualities, he has led the Senate without major controversies for the past eight years and has been with the party since its inception,” the source said.

Meanwhile, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State is said to be rallying support for another Benue son, former Senate President Iyorchia Ayu, to become the party’s national leader.

“Everyone knows the Waziri Adamawa is a committed democrat and will, as always, respect the sanctity of the ballot,” Atiku’s Media Adviser, Mazi Paul Ibe, said when asked about the national leader selection puzzle.

“The position was zoned to the north, and no single person can decide who becomes chairman; it will take a vote of the zone’s party members.”

“As an experienced Democrat, the former Vice President remains committed to ensuring that the party gets the best person to lead it to victory.”

“His Excellency, the Governor of Benue State, is a team player,” said Nathaniel Ikyur, Ortom’s Chief Press Secretary. “He is working with his colleague governors and other party stakeholders to ensure that the best man for the job gets it.”

“Like all loyal members of the party, he wants a national chairman who can lead the party to victory. Our party and Nigeria will benefit if Benue State is given the opportunity to provide this leadership.”

Several attempts to get a response from Saraki on the matter were fruitless, as even his Media Adviser, Yusuf Olaniyonu, was unable to respond to his calls at the time this report was obtained.